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. 2020 Aug 7:11:1948.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01948. eCollection 2020.

On-Field Perceptual-Cognitive Training Improves Peripheral Reaction in Soccer: A Controlled Trial

Nils Schumacher  1 , Rüdiger Reer  1 , Klaus-Michael Braumann  1
Affiliations

On-Field Perceptual-Cognitive Training Improves Peripheral Reaction in Soccer: A Controlled Trial

Nils Schumacher et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Abilities such as peripheral reaction are of special importance in soccer. Whether these abilities can be improved by sport-specific on-field interventions remains unclear. The aim of the present controlled trial was to investigate the effect of a soccer-specific perceptual-cognitive on-field training on peripheral reaction of highly talented soccer players aged 12-13 years. N = 38 male elite athletes from young talent centers were allocated to an intervention (n = 19) and a control group (CG) (n = 19). Computer-based peripheral perception tests were conducted before and after intervention. Combining a sport-specific and a juggling task, the intervention was performed once a week (8 weeks, 20 min per week) in addition to team training. The CG exclusively underwent usual team training. Analyses show significant differences between the two groups for peripheral reaction time (PRT), with significant improvements for the intervention group and none for the CG. Furthermore, results indicate that improvements in peripheral reaction might be due to changes in the reaction time of right-footed players. Future studies should be conducted to clarify the effect of sport-specific on-field training approaches on PRT. These analyses should consider the influence of lateralization on effectivity of perceptual-cognitive on-field training approaches.

Keywords: cognition; cognitive component skill approach; expert performance; expert-performance approach; lateralization; perceptual-cognitive training; peripheral reaction; visual perception.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Study flowchart.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Schematic description (AI, AII) and photo (BI, BII) of exercise I and exercise II of perceptual-cognitive training.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Reaction time (PRT, RTL, PRT) at pretest and posttest in the intervention and control groups. PRT, peripheral reaction time; RTR, peripheral reaction time right; RTL, peripheral reaction time left; t0, pretest; t1, posttest; IG, intervention group; CG, control group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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